The Tennessee Valley Authority says it has approved more than 250 small-scale renewable energy projects across the Tennessee Valley for this year, thus reaching TVA's renewable goals under two different programs.

TVA has approved applications for nearly 7.5 MW from renewable systems of less than 50 kW each as part of its Green Power Providers program since January. Of those more than 250 projects, all but two are solar installations.

TVA is accepting applications for renewable systems under 10 kW for the final 500 kW or less of available 2013 Green Power Providers capacity. However, TVA says potential Green Power Providers applications for systems over 10 kW will have to wait until more capacity is available in 2014, or if a significant amount of Green Power Providers projects approved for 2013 are not completed within their 180-day deadline.

“Residents and businesses are given 180 days to install their renewable system after they are approved,” says Patty West, TVA’s director of renewable energy programs. “If a project doesn’t move forward or can’t be installed in a timely manner, we can allow someone else the opportunity to build a system. This helps create sustainable, predictable renewable generation growth.”

This year, TVA also has received applications for a dozen renewable projects totaling 10 MW under its Solar Solutions Initiative pilot program, which provides incentives for 50 kW to 1 MW solar projects to use certified Tennessee Valley installers.

Since TVA has reached its limit for Solar Solutions Initiative, no new applications will be taken for the pilot program.

“Reaching our 2013 application targets demonstrates that TVA’s renewable energy programs are popular even as we lower premium levels consistent with falling prices of renewable technology,” West says. “Our goal is to provide 9 million power consumers cleaner electricity, without impacting the cost of electricity that we all pay.”

TVA currently has 6,418 MW of operational or committed renewable generation capacity, including hydro. With 1,609 MW of renewable capacity added since fall 2010, TVA says it remains on track with its Integrated Resource Plan target of adding 1,500 to 2,500 MW of renewable generation by 2020.

Months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its Clean Power Plan, which will create new regulations for existing power plants, the agency says it has received loads of feedback to consider.